TEST DRIVE MEME #38

[penancemods]

Arrival

"Judgement has come upon you. God has deemed you worthy of Hell. But don't worry, it can still be undone," comes a soothing voice that echoes all around you. The voice promises comfort, hope even.

It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.

It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.

And so you do.

Darkness and nothingness consumes you for a second, And it seems to linger for a long time. There is nothing at all. It must be lonely. But it won’t be forever.

Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody.

Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples. They are urged forward to take a numbered ticket and wait their turn in the long line. As they're ushered forward through the corridor, their first stop will be to see Lilith, standing outside her office.

The woman in a smart suit and a friendly smile steps forward to greet sinners one by one. "I'm sorry for your rough landing. We've never gotten it quite as smooth as it was in the past. Please, let me see your hand--"

Once she has the sinner's hand, there's the warm, almost electric touch of magic that soothes away the aches and pains, heals the wound left behind on each sinner's palm. Lilith looks satisfied with her work and gives a nod. "There, all better. Please take your care package and continue on until you reach the stairs."

On their way out, sinners receive their 'package', a contract detailing all sins committed. If they look at the list closely enough they'll notice it's written with their blood. That explains the palm wound then. It's an old piece of parchment despite the freshly written letters upon it. They will also receive a slightly more modern smart phone. Think early generation Android and a pamphlet made by other sinners during their stay here with useful tips.

After that, sinners will be ushered on to a set of stairs where a guard waits. "Welcome to Penance," the demon says gruffly before motioning them on without an ounce of courtesy. "Don't hold up the line."

They seem to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon what appears to be a lobby of a hotel. Once there, they will notice several shops and other areas around the front desk.

The demon at the front desk looks rather bored, but when sinners approach? He seems to snap to attention to offer whatever help they might need of him. He will at least direct to food or rooms to rest their wary bodies, or recommend sights to see around the hotel.


Stand Your Ground

Curiously, every television within Hell seems to be covered with a sheet and wrapped in chains. If one listens closely at night, they'll hear murmuring coming from them. If any curious newcomer should try to remove the coverings, they will find them magically enchanted in some way that makes this impossible, however. If asked, the staff will explain that they're undergoing a cleansing to remove a curse placed upon them by evildoers. If pressed further, they'll hear talks of The Veiled Order.

But not to worry! There's plenty to do. Helluvacup needs to be rebuilt so the coffee demon and his prized hell rat on a harness and leash quit wandering the halls... the staff is rather tired of being bitten! Additionally, it feels like reality is shifting more often to showing what the pristine hotel may actually look like. It hasn't been that long since the buildings were flooded by lava and utterly destroyed. The beautiful interiors were too good to be true, and the veneer is cracking more severely now. At times, the illusion drops to the burnt out husk of a building, to rotting wood and torn, old furniture. Sometimes it's jarring enough to leave one dizzy before it simply flashes back to normal. Unfortunately, whenever these glitches occur, it is entirely possible to find one's self in an entirely different room than they meant. Wanted to grab a midnight snack? Have fun in that blood room. Wanted to take an innocent pee, minding your own business? You may accidentally walk into someone's room.

In which case, it is probably very advisable to not relieve yourself and find a more suitable area. What could possibly go wrong?

At least there does seem to be a break in the heat? Hell is an almost comfortable temperature, but there are already talks of the dreaded Fall coming soon. In Hell, Fall tends to feel more like the dead of winter, bt hopefully, there will be a skip to the usual snow and frigid temperatures.

.


Reach Up High

Prompt I:

WARNINGS: drills, torture, blood, lobotomy

Part of redemption is suffering, Darlings. That’s why sinners are drawn here. They will hurt, but they will also learn to become better people. One way or another.

The demons who bring sinners here have tied them quite firmly into a contraption that forces them to recline back with their heads trapped in a vice. If they look up, they’ll be able to see the whirring flash of metal from an active drill poised just overhead. They can squirm if they’d like, but it might be unsettling for the person bound behind them. Before they can vocalize any questions, they’ll hear the sound of Lucifer’s warm, soothing voice.

"My dear guests, I’ve done a lot of thinking about what I can do to bring you closer together. Father often says that humans should love their fellow man. Maybe you just need some help building trust. I assure you that you’re both perfectly safe. If you stay still and chat, the drills will cause a little scratch, but nothing you can’t live through. Talk about your sins. Talk about your day. It’ll just take a few minutes before you can leave. Be nice, and whatever you do, don’t move a muscle."

It’s at this point that sinners might notice that although they are rendered immobile from the waist up, their legs are free. They can push back their chairs and avoid the drills which are suddenly moving forward. But since they’re bound to someone else, pushing back will send their partner forward into their drill and surely condemn them to a messy death. If neither sinner moves, they can both survive. The drills will move close enough to tear the skin at their foreheads and perhaps scratch the skull underneath, creating a mild concussion at worst. But if the sinners were unable to make peace and stop themselves from moving, the drill is quite capable of pushing past bone and into the soft flesh of the frontal lobe. You can technically live with the kind of brain damage caused by an injury there, but do you really want to do that to your new close friend?

You have three minutes to figure it out.


Prompt II

For those fortunate enough to escape the unplanned lobotomy, well, there's an easy task for you! As previously mentioned, Helluvacup and the hotel's own pool both need to be tidied up, or rebuilt in some cases. Any sinners who volunteer will be treated to free drinks and snacks, and receive appreciation from demonic staff. Plus, chipping in and helping your fellow sinners (and demons) is something God often encourages! It will be good for one sin removal overall. There will be building supplies, cleaning supplies, and anything else sinners need to push forward!

The staff also won't be put out if sinners would rather do a little bit of cleaning instead...

Besides, it's a rare opportunity to help import supplies to Hell. There are large crates of unnamed items, new furniture items, torture items, clothes, and more. There's also several boxes of nothing but pumpkin spice that veteran sinners, who know what every fall entails, may cringe at the sight of.


Follow Me Down

Prompt I

WARNINGS: fire, disobedience

Speaking of pumpkin spice and torture devices... Well, sinners may find the prime opportunity for a bit of a bonfire if they're so inclined. It seems some demons are not looking forward to the months of pumpkin spice flavored foods or, well, working, really. These are young, reckless demons, but they've decided to help some of these new shipments get 'lost' by starting a large bonfire in a secluded place in Penance proper. They'll be asking sinners to help out. They'll supply the booze as they watch everything burn later!

If questioned about it, the demons will insist that it's just another part of the importing project. Everyone's trying to tell you to grab the crates and haul them somewhere, right? Into the fire is somewhere. Of course it's fine! You get points for being good little boys and girls every time you shut up and do what you're told. Why would anyone lie about that?

Perhaps it will come as a surprise, then, that anyone who participates will receive one sin added to their contract in the form of arson.


Prompt II

WARNINGS: sex, aphrodisiacs, non-con, etc.

Club Penance has new shots for all to try! Eager incubi and succubi stand around with trays of them, eager to pass them off under the strobe lights and pounding music. The air is sweeter than even usual, the demons amping up the aphrodisiacs to ensure everybody has a good time, and there's plenty encouragement to get lost in the atmosphere. These shots all have a unique influence, although that part may have been left out... Oops.

Apple: Causes one to fall lust with the first person they see. They will absolutely be overwhelmed with the desire to have them and do whatever they must to receive their affections.
Cinnamon: Causes one to fall into love with the first person they see. Their heart will skip beats, they'll feel the urge to recite poetry, anything! Your love must be known.
Pumpkin: Causes one to fall out of balance. Just the perfect meet-cute, isn't it? Hopefully you won't fall into anyone in a bad mood.
Sour Apple: Causes one to fall into a rage. Ah, oops. Maybe they didn't think that one out. This one causes aggression and the need to make certain others know you're the top dog around here.

Wildcard/Misc.

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Lucifer | Obey Me!

[sadisticpride]

I – Stand Your Ground
Lucifer is rather interested in getting Helluvacup up and running. It would be nice to have a place to sit back with a cup of coffee and several books. It’s also the fact that, well, he needs something to do. Sure, Lucifer had been seeing this all as a holiday. Yes, there was torture and all sort of strange things going on, but really… between those it wasn’t that bad. However he’s a workaholic. Down time was acceptable, but he needs something to do as well. Of course he instantly goes to try and organize how this rebuild would work, figuring out who was best on what job, but no doubt still correcting them if he thinks they are doing it wrong. “You’re doing it wrong, it’s like this.” Taking over their place and, well, doing it himself. And with such speed and perfection that… yeah, he actually does know what he’s saying, it isn’t just all talk. It is arrogant talk, but it’s backed up by action.

As for the Hotel itself? If Lucifer is also seeing these glitches in the matrix, he isn’t showing it. The first time it had surprised him, but once he realizes what is happening, well, what’s there to fuss over? It however becomes rather annoying with the changing of locations he wants to go to. Heading in one door, he finds himself instead somewhere he had not planned to be, a pause to take it in, then to address it. “Excuse me, it seems this was not the room I was planning to go to.”

II – Reach Up High: 1 CW: drills, torture, blood, lobotomy chance, face injures
Lucifer… really isn’t enjoying this. It seemed it was part of the price to pay for being here, he’s accepted that, however, it doesn’t mean he enjoys being manhandled about. And the fact these rooms instantly strip him of his powers, he’s basically human right now. It’s a little insulting…

Equally insulting is this torture is aimed at his face. He may not be as vocal about his appearance as Asmodeus was with his own, but Lucifer still takes great pride in how he presents himself. That drill looked like it could do a number on him. The fact it was pointed at where his demonic forehead symbol sat in his true form… is not lost on him.

Yet despite this all… he’s rather calm. Did he trust his other self? In a way, it was him, was it not? If this Lucifer was anything like him, he didn’t need to lie. Truth, even honest and painful truth, was more important than lying. But also, he has no clue what this other Lucifer is like, but it’s not like he has an option right now, is it? So Lucifer is seated calmly, even moving to cross one of his legs over the other since they were left free, prepared to just wait this out. Hopefully who he is with also thinks that…

III – Reach Up High: 2
Lucfier is almost regretting helping with Helluvacup upon hearing that this was something ‘God encourages’ from others, as well as it helping him towards redemption. He doesn’t want either of those. However… the coffee is a rather tempting contrast to that all. Maybe he just needs to add another sin on some other way to make up for this one… Not that his list would be cleared any time soon.

What helps sway him however is getting to be involved in these imports. This could prove an important chance for later on, especially with the need to barter with others for items here. Better to get along with a supplier well, after all. If there’s a check list, he will make sure to go over what arrives. If there is not one, you better believe he is making one as he and others work on unpacking everything. You have to know what you got, after all. Who knows who might try and steal something for themselves.

He is surprised to see the shipment of said spice though, curious to what exactly was the issue others seem to be having with it, “You do not look happy to see this.”

IV – Follow Me Down: 1 CW: fire, disobedience
Remember that wanting to make up for losing a sin by adding another? Well, normally Lucifer isn’t one to go against the flow of order of a realm… well, not now days. But really, if this helps to get him further away from redemption, and a bit of a ‘fuck you’ to his Father/not Father of this realm… he supposes he can enjoy the fireworks just this once. And maybe a drink or two by the fire is nice too, something that has a kick for demons of course, nothing as weak as human alcohol.

Oh, what he would give for a good vintage bottle of Demonus right now.

After all, this isn’t his hell, maybe he can play a little looser with the rules than he would the Devildom. He doesn’t have responsibilities here. He’s a ‘guest’. So yes, sipping away at a glass of something rather nice and strong while watching the fire burn and spark as more crates get thrown in? It’s not a bad way to spend part of the day.

V – Wildcard

IV

[missdemon]

"Well, ain't you a pretty picture?" Eying the composed man who stands around the bonfire, Hazel can't help but grin. The whole scene is chaos, demons whooping and hollering as boxes are thrown in a pile and the scent of burning pumpkin spice fills the air. And then there's this guy, basking quietly in the glow of it all.

"You look like you're pretty at home," she comments, taking a swig of her own drink. Much less classy, she's just carrying around a flask.

[sadisticpride]

Havel's comment only gets a slight turn of his head to see who was saying it, and another sip of his drink rather than an actual response as he looks back to the sight before them. Though there was a hint of an expression on his face that told that he knew that, and enjoyed hearing it. But also not getting too carried away. Can't have people assume such simple compliments would work on him.

"It's not quite the same, but certainly has a similar feel to it." Lucifer answers as he watches the demons running around, trying to burn as much as they could before this was all over. He's sure there will be repercussions to this, but really, right now, Lucifer doesn't care. Let him get punished for being part of it, he welcomes another sin on his list. "You seem rather unconcerned by this all as well."

[missdemon]

An interesting response, and her eyes shine more brightly in the light of the bonfire as she considers it. A similar feel to his own home, huh? Curious! Anyone who has some kind of investment in any kind of Hell has her immediate attention. Still, she's not trying to come on too strong. At least, not any stronger than normal, so she addresses his own observation first.

"Been here long enough at this point that there isn't much left to surprise me." She laughs. "This is fun, either way. Who doesn't like a bit of casual arson?"

Raising her flask toward the ongoing festivities, she gives a silent toast. "I'm Hazel."

[sadisticpride]

"Really?" Was that the truth, or just a way to cope with Hell? Humans did tend to have the ability to deal with so much thrown at them. Or break under the pressure. Normally the latter when it came to Hell, though the Lucifer of this realm did seem to have a soft spot for his sinners. For better or worse. "Does that mean you have been here for quite a while, or that the horrors of Hell are not that shocking for you?" Just what have you been through before coming here, Hazel.

A pause before, why not? He's in a good mood right now, Lucifer also lifting his glass to match her toast towards the burning. "Lucifer."

[missdemon]

Huh. Huh. Lucifer, he says. If she hadn't been here so long, maybe she'd chalk it up to a coincidence, or a weird choice of name by his parents. Or a nickname, codename, something. But she's definitely been through this song and dance before. He's not the first Lucifer-from-another-universe to show up here. Her eyebrows raise as she finishes her swig and re-caps her flask.

"Been here a few years now, yeah. My first time in Hell but not my first time dealing with demons." She's definitely gotta ask him if he has any dealings with an Abaddon of his universe, and if so, what that one is like. For now, though, she'll stick with what's in front of her. "It has got to piss you off, being in a different Lucifer's realm. I can't even imagine."

[sadisticpride]

A few years? Well, redemption was never an easy path to take, and Lucifer would be surprised if any of these sinners got out of here any time soon. He's heard of some vanishing, but he doubts they were able to overcome their sins in such a short time, at least by his Father's standards. No doubt they were just going to another level of Hell. Maybe even one step closer to redemption, but not salvation. Not yet.

The other part of that though, "Have a habit of summoning demons?" It's both in jest and a real question. Lucifer is well aware of witches and other magic users who did that, including several who have attempted to do that to him over his many years. He has no interest in it. Some of his brothers do though, mostly Mammon being tricked into some stupid plan out of greed. Then again, can he blame the Avatar of Greed giving into such schemes? ...yes, yes he can. Because it always ends up with Lucifer having to clean up the mess Mammon makes. And pay off his debt.

Lucifer pauses to take a sip from his glass as he considers that answer, then, "Actually, right now it's a rather nice break from everything." He has far less responsibilities here. It would come back to bite him, Lucifer was a workaholic, he would need something to do sooner rather than later before that perfectionist side of him would be overwhelming to all around him. "I am more interested just how I was brought here." It must be by quite a powerful being.

I

[lenivyous]

Here Dylan is minding his own business, standing in front of the bathroom mirror -- toothbrush in one hand, toothpaste in the other. He applies a small dollop to the bristles, wets his brush, and fits it in his mouth. As he straightens up, something immediately catches his eye. Waiting there in the reflection of the mirror like some fucking Bloody Mary summoning ritual is now a strange, dark-haired man.

"Fucking christ!" Dylan whirls around, only to find the man is here in the flesh. Not a ghost at all. And he's not sure that's any better. In general, Dylan might have no complaints about an attractive man just appearing in his room -- isn't that the thing fantasies are made of? But this is hell. Everything has a catch.

"Well, a few minutes later and that could have been real embarrassing for the both of us. I was about to grab a shower. But no sweat, man. You're in room 209...if that helps you find your way back to your room or wherever you were going. But like, no rush if you wanna get your bearings for a bit." He shrugs and goes back to brushing his teeth. Yeah, maybe the guy's here to stab him or whatever hell is up to now, but Dylan's not too worried. What's the chance the stranger's wielding a pure silver knife?

[sadisticpride]

Ah, no, this certainly was not where Lucifer was planning to go, not even close, a moment to pause and understand what had happened as he answered that shock, "No, not quite." Possible to argue his brother, in a sense... but no.

That information helped though, "I see. There appears to be some sort of teleportation magic or similar currently in effect." And a type Lucifer hadn't been able to pick up before he had walked through that doorway. This could prove irritating. However, he has to ask back, "Are you sure this is 209? Did you not also have to go through a doorway to come in here?" Was this effecting others as well? Was it with every doorway, or at random? It would be good to know what was affected and what was not.


[OOC: Lucifer is able to sense what a person is, you ok with him knowing Dylan is a werewolf?]

[lenivyous]

[ OOC: That's perfectly fine with me! haha ]

"I mean..." he trails off for a moment, giving the bathroom a serious inspection as he genuinely considers Lucifer's question. No...yeah, it seems like his bathroom. The little bit of stuff he has is here. Continuing to brush his teeth, he opens the door and pokes his head out into the bedroom. And yeah. That's his bed. That's his things.

"Yeah, it's 209 alright," he mumbles -- going back to the sink to spit and then rinse before fitting his toothbrush into the holder. "But. I know what you mean about the hotel being weird. Every now and then, it's like there's a shift or something. I don't know how to describe it. First few times it happened, I thought I'd gotten high and didn't remember it. But no. I'm pretty sure it's some kinda magic. Like the magic those twins were doing that can cover up the sinner's demon features? What would that be, like.....the magic eraser of spells?"

[sadisticpride]

Huh, well, it seems it's not all doors, now was it? Did it mean it was certain ones, or all just random? If it's random, that will be frustrating. And he would guess to random places too, unless, "Am I the first to show up for you like this? You did seem surprised." Or maybe he's just real high strung.

Lucifer's almost surprised to find a normal room as Dylan opened the door, half expecting it to teleport them both to another section of the hotel. As Dylan moves back to the sink, Lucifer takes a step out so he's in the doorway, a foot either side to see if it would happen again... and no, he was still here. How strange. He is still listening to what Dylan is rambling on about, however, "I am unaware of what you are talking about. Are you talking about illusion magic to cover features? That's not in the same category as teleportation magic." Which this was, in some sense. Not a type Lucifer used, resting a hand against the door frame of the bathroom, as if trying to sense if there was any such spell on it, or in the room around him.

Then again, his own teleportation magic has been limited here, so maybe this was something just outside of his reach.

[lenivyous]

"Oh, I don't know shit about magic. But I just thought like, if you have magic making the hotel look not all burned down and destroyed and that magic is starting to come apart, it'd make sense wouldn't it? If doors lead to weird places. Because maybe where you and I are standing is nothing more than ashy framework underneath all the illusion and it's getting harder for whoever's doing the spell to keep the layout straight..." Dylan pats the door frame, giving it a light push. It doesn't come toppling down, so maybe the hotel really is in tact. He doesn't know. It's just a working theory.

He shrugs. "Then again, maybe not. But to answer your question, yeah. You're the first one to show up like this. Not gonna complain if you set the pattern of hot men barging into my bathroom unannounced. Maybe the next one will join me in the shower. Talk about taking the prize behind door number one."

A playful smile warms the edge of his lips and he leans against the counter. "I'm Dylan, by the way."

[sadisticpride]

You know, "That could very much be the reason." However, if so, Lucifer is very disappointed in the Lucifer of this realm then. Really, don't bring his name down with such a poor showing of magic.

Lucifer does give a slight smile as he steps into the main room itself, a pause to see if he is suddenly teleported again, then continues when he isn't. "Then I wish you luck with the next one to pop up." Sorry Dylan, but that's a no from him. Careful what you wish for though. "For your sake you better hope it's only sinners this is affecting, or you might find an incubus taking you up on that."

Ah yes, he guesses introductions is only right considering this all, plus, it would come out sooner or later. He's already had a range of reactions... "Lucifer."

stand your ground glitching

[compelledtoprotect]

Steve looked up from the stove and stared, "Ah, hi. Didn't hear the door." He flipped the grilled cheese he was making and gave the guy a smile.

"You hungry?"

is he in his room or the main kitchen for cooking?

[sadisticpride]

Ah, this all again. Lucifer was right, this is going to get very tiring very quickly. However he guesses there is worst things to happen. Considering it all. He has yet to get annoyed enough to test out his own teleportation magic to get around this all, assuming it would work and not just make things worse.

Something to find out later, maybe.

"This was not where I had intended to go." As if that excuses Steve not hearing the door. Then answering, "No, I am not."

his room, steve has an executive suite XD

[compelledtoprotect]

"I figured. A few people have just showed up in here recently. I think the hotel's playing games. Sure you don't want a grilled cheese? I don't mind making more."

Steve liked feeding people, even strangers, and the guy looked too stiff. He needed to loosen up a little and good meal could often help with that, "I'm Steve by the way. Are you new? I don't think I've seen you before."

wonderful

[sadisticpride]

"That is certainly one way to put it." An annoyance is another way. If he wants to get somewhere he doesn't want to have to deal with his time being wasted. "I am sure. I had been planning to head to the kitchen for tea, not food."

"Lucifer," He answers back with a glance around the suite to see where his other options may be to leave. It's quite different from the temporary rooms for the new arrivals. "And yes, I'm a recent arrival to this Hell. By the sounds of these 'games', as you call them, are quite common." Also the fact Steve had put it as 'playing games' is rather interesting. It's spoken as either someone who's been around long enough to have gotten used to the treatment here, or who found it funny. Or just a coping mechanism. Maybe all three.

[compelledtoprotect]

"You get used to it. Not really opening doors to the wrong place, but the weirdness. I have tea though, if you're still thirsty? I can put the water on no trouble." There was a kettle on the stove already. Just in case.

Steve turned around to stare at the man for a moment, both brows raised, then turned back to the pan to slide the sandwich out on a plate, "Lucifer huh? No relation I assume? Can's say I've ever had our host show up for tea in my home before."

[sadisticpride]

"I can imagine so." After all, with how long he's lived, this shouldn't be a surprise to him. Then again, being teleported out of his Hell and into another one... that is a new one. As for the offer of tea. Why not? It would save him from the gamble of finding himself in another room. "I'll take you up on that offer."

"Well, I assume our Fathers are different. I am unaware if mine has the ability to drag demon lords from other universes." Which does amuse Lucifer a little. He wonders how his Father would react to learn there may be a more powerful version of Himself somewhere. "And mine lost interest in me a long time ago." God had no power within the realm of the Devildom, Lucifer was well out of his reach since he had fallen. "I hope you don't expect some special treatment to come from this, as I don't have the same power here as I do back in my own Hell." A slight smile to go with that, showing he was joking a little here. But it was still true, he really held no power here.

"Right now, I am just like the rest of you."

II.

[conradachenleck]

For the most part, Conrad is pretty good at keeping still. Or, well, he doesn't try to push back from the drill poised to bore into his skull, in any case. He can't help fidgeting a bit, however, and he jerks his head against his restraints despite knowing it won't do him any good.

"Oh, Christ. Are we really supposed to make conversation while we literally get holes drilled into our faces?" He sounds more irritated than terrified and he can't help letting out a few disgruntled huffs.

It's not like he enjoys talking about his sins at all, ever, and he's not great at making small talk under normal circumstances... But maybe that doesn't really matter. They can't really be expected to exchange pleasantries given their current arrangement, right? So long as whoever else is stuck in the room with him doesn't want to shove him into the drill he supposes that's all that really matters for the moment.

[sadisticpride]

"Of course, it wouldn't be as torturous if they made us do this fully against our will. By going along with it, it makes us feel like we're accepting this happening to us, as if we're asking for it." Lucifer states this all in a rather matter-of-fact tone, as if it's obvious. Or maybe that's just clear for him. "It's forcing us to accept it's happening and that we're unable to fight against it, no matter how much we may hate this. Psychological torture as well as physical."

Don't get him wrong, Lucifer is not amused by this at all.

Why did it have to target his face?

Well, at least he will be able to hide it with illusion magic. Assuming this other person stayed calm, so it would benefit Lucifer if he did. "Start simple," He says as a guide, his own tone even and calm. "What is your name? Who were you before Hell?"

[conradachenleck]

Conrad is quiet for a moment, not exactly relaxing his head in the vice, but at least he stops straining against it. He supposes that he should be grateful that the person being tortured alongside him is pretty rational and doesn't seem to want to fight with him so he ends up getting lobotomized. What he says is true, of course. Hell does love to play mind games and meld physical pain with mental manipulation.

"Mmm, yeah, that makes sense," he mutters and releases a low sigh. "I'm Conrad... Um..." He gets a little hung up on how he should describe himself. Who was he before he was dragged to Hell? Maybe he should just state the bare minimum and get that out of the way. "I was an artist... And I was human before something rather unpleasant happened to me and then I wound up here, so..." He trails off a bit as his eyes fixate on the drill once again. "What about you?"

[sadisticpride]

Good. A good start. Would it help them? Lucifer is doubtful, however part of his calmness is purely out of spite for the situation. Why should he give them the enjoyment of panicking? After all, part of the fun of torture was getting a reaction from the victim. And when you knew their weak spots, you knew how to hurt them the most. And Lucifer has no intentions on revealing his to anyone here.

'Something rather unpleasant' is an interesting teaser, something Lucifer may be able to already pick up normally, but these torture situations tend to take his abilities away from him, making him practically human. Otherwise he would be able to just know what Conrad is. Guess it's going to be a surprise then. "I am Lucifer," He starts, very aware that there's a range of ways people here had reacted to that already. But if there is any doubt if he's just been given that name from some rather unusual parents, "Avatar of Pride, one of the seven demon lords of the Devildom." Nope, this very much is Lucifer, just not the one running this Hell.

[conradachenleck]

Sure, Conrad could have just come right out and said he was turned into a vampire right before he wound up here, but he doesn't usually like to just blurt that out. And he figures whoever is trapped in this room with him might not want to hear that he's an undead bloodsucker. That might be a little worrying once they're freed from their restraints.

When he hears that name he can't help raising a brow and he tries to crane his neck around, even though he can't exactly move it right at the moment. Well, Conrad can discern that he's not the Lucifer, obviously, as he's the one who's put them in their current predicament. Still, what he says is just a tad strange.

"You're- Seriously?" He can't help sounding a little skeptical now. "What does that even mean...? A Devildom?" A kingdom of devils? That sounds weird and made up.

[sadisticpride]

"Yes, I'm serious." And if it kept Conrad still, for both of their sakes, then he's willing to answer those in a bit more detail. "There are three realms, or I guess three realms before finding out about this situation." Because who knows how this all works, for this Hell to be able to drag Lucifer out of his own.

"There is the Celestial Realm in which God and angels reside, the human realm where humans live, and the Devildom where demons live and is ruled over by the Demon King. It exists as one of the levels of Hell." Did that clear it up, or just cause even more questions?